WHO:
Renowned New York based artist Rashaad Newsome is seeking charismatic and energetic self-identifying Black females between the ages of 18-35 who are serious, highly committed and professional. Artists, singers, performers, models and actresses are strongly encouraged to participate. Auditi.ons are June 5 – 9 at the Detroit Institute of Arts Film Theater

WHAT:
‘Shade Compositions’ is an ongoing performance project by Rashaad Newsome. The artist assumes the role of conductor and vocal choreographer leading an ensemble of female performers whose individual voices and gestures are combined and synthesized to form improvisatory orchestral music. The artist transforms isolated, culturally-specific gestures and patterns of speech into music, a universal language and form of expression. The set of polyrhythmic, serial compositions arranged by Newsome reveals an expressive power that leaves these coded gestures open to interpretation, rather than fixed to the associations from which they were removed.

Newsome’s praxis incorporates a blending and collaging of high and low culture. His work pertains to dance, music, fashion, history and technology. The artist is driven to create work that serves as an invitation to the art world as well as mainstream audiences to consider elements of cultural production derived from the vernacular of Black, Latino, and LGBTQ subcultures.

Voguing and the queer ballroom scene served as early inspiration for Newsome whose art offers a platform to individuals and groups of people whose lives do not often intersect with the art world. Newsome draws attention to the contributions of marginalized communities whose culture is absorbed through pastiche by mainstream audiences within a modified or commercially acceptable framework. Through his visually engaging and dynamic style of live performance and video, Newsome explores the complexities of social power structures and questions of agency.

‘Shade Compositions’ will take place at the Detroit Film Theater on Saturday, September 23rd, 2017.

Presented as part of DLECTRICITY™, September 22 & 23, 2017 in Midtown Detroit.

THIS IS A PAID PROJECT, WHICH ALSO PROVIDES YOU WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH OTHER TALENTED CREATIVE INDIVIDUALS IN THE INDUSTRY OF ART, FASHION AND PERFORMANCE.

PLEASE NOTE:
Selected participants would need to be available during the following times:

September 23rd, 2017 is the date of the performance. They must be available from 11 AM until after the performance.
Rehearsals may be held on these dates during the evenings (after 6 PM):
September 1 & 2
September 4 & 9
September 11 through 16
September 18 through 20
AND
September 21: Full Run Tech and Dress Rehearsal: 11 AM – 10 PM – actors must be available all day.